Description
This refreshing cucumber salad combines thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions tossed in a tangy vinegar and olive oil dressing, enhanced with herbs like dill and optionally parsley or mint. Perfect as a light side dish, it balances crisp textures with bright, zesty flavors for an easy, quick-to-prepare salad that’s ideal for warm days or as a complement to heavier meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or mint (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Slice the cucumbers thinly using a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer; peeling the cucumbers is optional based on preference.
- Slice the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion to ensure it blends well with the cucumber and dressing.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, honey or sugar if using, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder if desired, until well combined.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the dressing and adjust seasoning to your liking by adding more salt, pepper, or sweetness as needed.
- Combine the Salad: Place the cucumber slices and red onion into a large mixing bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the sliced vegetables and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Let Flavors Meld: Refrigerate the salad for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and the cucumbers to absorb the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped fresh dill over the salad along with optional fresh parsley or mint for added herbaceous freshness.
Notes
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept chilled to enhance flavor infusion.
- Use a mandolin slicer for uniformly thin cucumber slices and easier preparation.
- Adjust sweetness and acidity by balancing honey/sugar and vinegar to taste.
- For a crunchier salad, serve immediately after tossing with dressing without chilling.
- This recipe is versatile and can be customized with other fresh herbs like basil or cilantro.
